Ideas on how to get kids to go to sleep?

I have found that with my children, who are aged 29,27,26 and 4; that we began an evening routine. We started with a evening snack, then a bath, a story or a movie-when the story or movie was over--lights out. After the movie, they would get a drink of water only, and then to the bathroom. As far as the bickerring, whomever was the distrubing party got lay down on the couch in the living room with me until the others had to go to bed. We repeated this every evening and eventually they got used to the routine....of course, occassionally something came up and they got to bed later than expected but that was rare on school nights but on Fridays and Sarturdays, they were allowed to stay up until Dad and I went to bed, if they were not loud or disruptive to others. All children really want to have boundaries, it makes them feel safe, I think this is a fairly common problem....and many solutions...just telling you how I used to do it. The 4 yr old is a different story however, he suffers from insomnia and it would be a total nightmare if his dad did not have the same problem...I usually go to bed and they go to bed sometime later in the night. He is a wellbehaved child and is quiet....I am sure we will have some issues with this when school starts but he is looking forward to it so I hope it will resolve itself. This is a great discussion topic! Hope it all works out for you and your family.

How old are they? I had a problem with my kids acting like that at bedtime for awhile. Finally, I was just more firm about it. Saying ONLY get up if you are using the potty or getting a small drink. No excessive trips out of bed. My oldest two share a room so I remind them no talking, its bedtime, otherwise they would fight with each other all night. Just set some rules, and make sure you are CONSISTANT about sticking with them. Make sure you are firm about them only getting up to get a small drink or to go potty, and you wont tolerate a million trips up, and that bedtime is quiet time, no fighting or talking. hope this helps!

Hi TeeandMe, it is frustrating to go through such routines every night. My boys are 5 and 3 years old. I normally prep them up before anything else. For example, on their way home from school, i will run through the things that's in store for them. And help them repeat the list of things to do. 1. Wash up. 2. Dress up. 3. Do 2 or 3 pages of work. 4. Help me set the table for dinner. 5. Have dinner. 6. Help clear the table. 7. Winding down time ( reading, chatting, listening to music). 8. Lights out and sleep (before 9pm). I'm not quite sure what ODD is, but if you keep to a routine (it takes time), most children will be able to follow and are more comfortable because they know what to expect and what is expected of them. Hope this helps. All the best! - Lyn

I have spent many a night in your shoes fighting to get the girls to sleep. Before we go into the bedroom I tell them to go potty and get something to drink because once they are in the bed, that's it. Now we make the girls settle down around 8:15 every night and we read a bedtime story, or I just tell them a bedtime story. Then we say our prayers and then I tuck them in and kiss them goodnight. It's been working pretty well lately. What is ODD exactly? I've never heard of that.

I have no children of my own. But, I saw a Japanese show where they chopped up onions and placed it in a room full of kindergarten kids, and after 10 minutes the kids were in dream land. I guess the smell will calm them down or something. Good luck.

Wake them up early in the morning so they wont oversleep. Have them in a fitness program to wear them out in the day. Then read them one story of at least 5 pages to make them go to sleep. You can also tell them that if they even think about getting out of their room more than one time a night, you'll take all of their favorite items and activities away. (I'm not sure what ODD is, so my advice might not work.)

tell them a boring story and i am sure that they will go to sleep immediately

Me what I do with my nephews is I let them play outdoor games in the morning so that at the start of the night they will all feel the tiredness they done in the morning but sometimes this don't work. What I do is I let them watch tv with boring shows... I know this is bad but this is the way they can get to sleep.

It's really hard to make the kids sleep. Especially if they had a lot on things in their mind. The trick is to give them something to do for the next day. the thought that they will be doing something tomorrow will get them all excited to sleep for the next day to come right away.. never give them ghost stories. it would only make your job harder and will make your kids afraid of things that don't exist!!

With my nephew, I tell me a story before bed time. He always listens then I rub his back while reading. It always puts him to sleep. :)

I have a suggestion for you which is very effective in my case.You just try it once.One hour before going to bed engage your cildren in any activities for example go for a walk with them on your terrace,give them colours and ask to paint a picture,give them some puzzles.If your children are young tell them bed time stories,make pillow fight with them,tickle them giggle with them.Just make children happy and make them laugh and then ask them to sleep.And I am sure they will take a sound sleep.I used to do this.And my daughter going to sleep with a smile.which is most worthy for me.

I can remember how hard it was to get my kids to sleep so I feel your pain. I needed to have a iron-clad routine every night and didn't deviate from it at all. I found a warm bath for them before bedtime was very soothing. You can put some lavender oil in the bath water as the scent of lavender is very soothing and helps to calm them down. Then I would follow with pajamas, tooth brushing and a bedtime story. Also, I put them to bed the same time every night so their body would naturally develop a sleep rythym. I know how stressful it can be, but getting them to adhere to the same routine every night will eventually get them to wind down on their own and not bother you so much so you can have some down time. Good luck.

You seem to be getting lots of sensible advice - whatever you decide to follow you must be consistent - I've worked with children and adults with all kinds of behaviour and learning difficulties and whatever the situation needing to be dealt with was consistency/fairnes/firmnes/calmness - which I know is difficult where bedtime is concerned. And then - rewards for success. Good luck.

I go through the same thing with girls. I have a 3 and 4 year old that share the same room(cause we only have a two bedroom)and every night is the same fight for them to stop playing and go to sleep. I have read some of the suggestions and they sound like they could work but i also have a two month old that i'm trying to put to sleep and my husband works at night so it's just me!! It is nice to know that i'm not the only one and if anyone has a solution it is very welcomed!!Mother of 3 in distress!!